GOERING CHEERFUL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 196, 28 May 1940, Page 2

GOERING CHEERFUL.

TALK AT SOVIET RECEPTION. Field-Marshal Goering, according to Reuter, was in expansive mood at the reception given in the Soviet Embassy in Berlin to commemorate the twentysecond anniversary for the foundation of the U.S.S.R., says “The Times.” Ribbentrop and other Nazi leaders attended the Embassy, over which the hammer and sickle flag was flying. Ribbentrop is said to be the first G v. - man Foreign Minister to attend a •Soviet reception since Dr. Sti’esemann did so fourteen years ago.. According to the correspondent of the “National Tidende,” Goering ascribed his “genial mood”- to the fact that “the situation of the Germans was excellent in every respect.” Asked about the situation generally, Goering standing in front of the statue of Lenin, said: “The fact that Lam present here speaks for itself.” When asked for his opinion about reports that 8000 aeroplanes would be ' sent from America to Britain, the FieldMarshal said they would be difficult to build and harder to transport. When told that 800 were already leaving, he commented: “I call that a decent amount, and very nice of them.” He went on to say that if Germans could not build machines more quickly than the United States they must be “very feeble.” Asked about Allied successes in the air, the Field-Marshal replied, “I know of the announcements but not of any victory over my pilots.” The JDanish correspondent asked why a lightning war had not been started, to which the reply was “Because we are humane, and I say this from the bottom of my heart.” His decision to continue in this “humane fashion” would depend on Groat Britain, which comment was made “in all seriousness.”